When it comes to packing up your belongings, it’s smart to think ahead. Did you pack that precious family portrait so it won’t be damaged? Do you have a home inventory to protect yourself from theft and loss? Make it easier to step through the door of your new home by packing like a pro.

Build a home inventory

The best way to prevent theft and loss during a move is to make an inventory of your possessions. An inventory catalogs all items of value, with a description of the condition and, if desired, a photograph.

Estimate your packing schedule

Allow for one full day to pack each room of the house (except for the basement, garage and kitchen, which often take longer). Make a rough estimate, then add an extra 50 percent to your timeline. It always takes longer to pack than you predict.

Come up with a strategy

Start packing the parts of your home you don’t use every day, such as the basement and attic. If you find an item you’re unsure about keeping, start a pile of things to review at a later date. Scale down by tossing things out or donating unused items to charity.

Create a packing center in your home to cut back on the number of times you will have to search for the tape and other supplies. Designate a central location to keep boxes, tape, markers, stickers and bubble wrap.

Pack the perfect box

• Choose a box
  Consider what you’re packing and try to control box weight. If you’re packing books, use a small box. If you’re working on sweaters, a larger box can be used.
• Prepare the box
  Tape the bottom then line it with crumpled tissue paper or newspaper. Stack and fill in the box with your stuff, then top it with more tissue.
• Wrap fragile items
  You’ll want to use cardboard dividers, tissue paper or bubble wrap for fragile and breakable objects. To prevent small items from being thrown out accidentally, wrap them in brightly coloured tissue paper or a labelled plastic bag.
• Seal and label
  Tape the top and mark it with a descriptive label. You can print the name of the room the box belongs to or give more description to help with the unpacking process.

Protecting lamps

Disassemble the lamp and pack items separately. Start by unplugging and removing the light bulb and lampshade. Pack the base separately from the shade to protect both items and be sure to fill all cracks and crannies with plenty of padding.

Transporting electronic items

Even though electronics are heavy, they also have delicate parts that are easily jarred. Plus, you want to prevent rear-input jacks from getting clogged with debris. If you don’t have the original box for your electronic item, start with a thick packing pad and wrap each component. Then put it in a box with extra-strong walls, such as a TV or computer box. Consider using plastic bins to protect electronics from moisture.

Prepping furniture for the move

Some furniture can be dismantled, but other pieces must travel as a whole. To protect them, tape all corners and legs of tables and chairs with discarded moving boxes and secure them with plastic wrap. If the wood has a finish that can be easily scratched, using plastic wrap may cause damage. In these cases, use moving pads or clean cardboard instead.

Put together an “Open-Me-First” box

Pack important essentials that you’ll need upon arriving at your new home together in one box to avoid having to root through multiple boxes to find what you need. Some items to include are cleaning supplies, your furniture maps, first aid items, bathroom supplies like soap and toilet paper and a telephone.

Tips For Moving Small Office Or Business

Relocation is often the result of a company’s expansion or the end of its current lease. An expanding business isn’t a bad thing. However, once a business begins to grow, more office space is often needed. Whether you’re moving from a home office to a new workspace or relocating from one commercial building to another, choosing an office space for your business isn’t easy. Once you have chosen your new location, the move itself is the next bridge you’ll have to cross. Businesses make money when the company is up and running; therefore, since your whole business, or parts of it at various times, will be non-operational during the move, you want to make sure the process is as efficient as possible. Here are five tips to help you relocate your small business office efficiently and quickly:

Create a timeline for when packing and the move will take place

Now that you know where you are moving, coordinating a move can be a challenge with all the equipment and furniture contained within an office. Evaluate the current situation of your company’s office to see how you want the new office to be laid out and how you plan to make it happen within your designated budget. 4-6 months before the move, you’ll need to make sure employees are well aware of when changes will be occurring. Schedule time for updating the Internet and phone services and obtaining the necessary permits, licenses and insurance policies. The larger the office you have, the more time you will need to plan.

Allocate resources accordingly

From budgeting for movers and equipment transportation to making time for your employees, make sure you are putting your resources in the right places. Don’t be afraid to ask an employee or two for assistance.

Hire movers and cleaners 1 to 3 months before the move

Planning ahead is important as the transition from one office space to another should go off without a hitch. If you are planning to hire movers or a cleaning service to help with the process, now is the time to do it. Make sure you research the companies and go with a business that can provide recommendations.

Update your vendors 1 to 3 months before you move

You don’t want to be missing any important necessities when you arrive at your new office, so let your vendors know well in advance so they can make the adjustments to your shipping and billing address. If you’ll need new furniture or a sign, order it now so that it has plenty of time to arrive and be arranged before your business makes the move.

Update your website, letterhead and business cards 1-2 weeks before moving

During the final week, it is imperative that everything be in place so that once employees enter the new office, they don’t have to spend too much time adjusting and can get back to business. Make sure the post office and clients are aware that a move is taking place and when. Finish or reschedule any last minute tasks including vendor deliveries, client meetings, or interviews.

If you’ve planned well, the day of the move should be a snap. While relocating an office may seem daunting, making a checklist of what needs to be done can expedite the process.